Method and system for providing neck support

ABSTRACT

A method and system for customizing the orthopedic support of a pillow by inserting an orthopedic neck support into a pillow case with a pillow such that the orthopedic neck support provides support to the curvature of the neck.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to pillows, and more particularly, an orthopedic pillow system providing customized support with independent adjustments for a user's head and neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of pillows available on the market. Pillows are generally rectangular, have a generally elliptical cross-section, and are stuffed with a generally uniform filling. Pillows are often used in conjunction with pillow cases. Generally, a pillow case is a soft sleeve with a closed and an open end. A user will generally insert a pillow into a pillow case such that when a user uses the pillow, the pillow case will be between his or her head and neck. The pillow case generally serves to provide an easily cleanable soft interface between the pillow and the user because continued use of a pillow can leave debris in a location where the user has been lying.

Due to the shape and filling of most pillows, they are often less than ideal for providing proper support for a user's head and neck. Often times, the level of support desired from a pillow by a user will vary for differing parts of the user's body that come into contact with the pillow. For example, a user may desire a firm level of support for the neck, but a soft level of support for the head. Because traditional pillows generally have a uniform filling, using a pillow that adequately supports the neck may result in a filling that is too firm for the head. Similarly, using a pillow soft enough for the back of the head may provide insufficient support for the neck.

Furthermore, because pillows generally have an elliptical cross-section, there is less filling concentrated where the user positions his or her neck; in other words, the pillow curves away from the user, when it should curve toward the user to maintain uniform contact with his or her neck. Improper support of the head or neck can lead to muscle strain and fatigue.

To address the improper support generally provided by traditional pillows, different types of support pillows have entered the market. A common type of pillow to address this problem is a contoured pillow. A contoured pillow curves toward the user's neck instead of away from it as is the case with pillows with generally elliptical cross-sections. Unfortunately, for a user to benefit from the support offered by these pillows, a user must give up their existing pillows and pillow cases. Over time, users become accustomed to the pillows and pillow cases that they use. Requiring users to purchase new pillows and pillow cases can create a burden on the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an isometric cross-section view of a pillow with a neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the pillow with the neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the head and neck of the user being supported by the pillow and the neck support, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an isometric view of alternate embodiments of the neck support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, FIG. 1A shows an orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 longitudinally aligned with a pillow 20 the combination of which is encompassed by a pillow case 30. In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 is composed of a memory foam and is approximately the length of a sleeping pillow. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 is uniform throughout its length. The diameter of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 is such that it generally approximates the curvature of the user's neck. The orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 can be removed from the pillow case and combined with another pillow 20 and pillow case 30. In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 is aligned at a bottom of the pillow case 31 displacing the pillow 20.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 displacing the pillow 20 aligned at the bottom of the pillow case 30.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a user 40 lying on the pillow case 30, a back of the user's head 60 supported by the pillow 20, and a nape of the user's neck 50 supported by the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10. In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 has a uniform diameter throughout its length and is approximately the length of a traditional pillow. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 may be constructed in differing manners such as, but not limited to, a memory foam, a resilient foam rubber offering a firm amount of support for a user's neck, a resilient foam rubber offering a soft amount of support for a user's neck, and a semi-rigid hollow cylinder offering support for a user's neck.

A person having skill in the art will also appreciate further alternative embodiments of the neck support. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the orthopedic cylindrical neck support need not maintain a uniform diameter or shape throughout its length. In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 4A shows the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 with a curve 11 to better support a user's shoulders while still supporting the user's neck. In another alternative embodiment, FIG. 4B shows the orthopedic cylindrical neck support 10 with a narrow support 12 for the user's neck. In yet another alternative embodiment, FIG. 4C shows the orthopedic neck support 10 may provide a curved upper portion 13 to conform to the curvature of a neck, and a flat bottom portion 14 to prevent the support from rolling when in use. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthopedic neck support system, comprising: (a) a pillow case; (b) a pillow removably disposed within the pillow case; and (c) a removable generally elongated orthopedic neck support inserted into the pillow case, such that the neck support is selectively positioned to provide support.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support is substantially cylindrical.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a memory foam material.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a generally cylindrical memory foam.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a resilient generally cylindrical foam.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support conforms to the curvature of the neck.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support is hollow.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic neck support displaces a portion of the pillow and aligns longitudinally with the pillow.
 9. An orthopedic neck support system, comprising: (a) a generally rectangular pillow case; (b) a generally rectangular pillow with a generally elliptical cross-section removably disposed within the pillow case; and (c) a removable generally cylindrical elongated orthopedic neck support composed of a memory foam approximately the same length as a longitudinal side of the generally rectangular pillow, inserted into the generally rectangular pillow case such that the neck support is longitudinally aligned with the generally rectangular pillow and adjacent to the periphery of the generally rectangular pillow case.
 10. An orthopedic neck support for use with a pillow and a pillow case, the orthopedic neck support comprising a generally cylindrical body having a surface curvature about the longitudinal axis generally approximating a curvature of a human neck, the diameter of the generally cylindrical body approximating the thickness of a sleeping pillow, the generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal length approximating a longitudinal length of a sleeping pillow, its composition material being sufficient to support a weight of a human neck without substantial deformation while also minimally deforming under the weight of the human neck.
 11. The orthopedic neck support of claim 10, wherein the density of the orthopedic neck support diminishes toward a longitudinal center of the neck support such that the neck support is configured to direct a human neck toward the longitudinal center of the orthopedic neck support.
 12. The orthopedic neck support of claim 10, wherein the volume of the orthopedic neck support is configured to displace more than 10% and less than 30% of a volume of a pillow when inserted into a pillow case generally having the same dimensions as the pillow.
 13. The orthopedic neck support of claim 10, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a memory foam.
 14. The orthopedic neck support of claim 11, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a memory foam.
 15. The orthopedic neck support of claim 12, wherein the orthopedic neck support is composed of a memory foam. 